I've been hearing apocryphal accounts lately of how rampant swine flu is here in Central Oregon, and while not disbelieving them, it's hard to point out any hard figures—'til now. The Source has a blog post today on this very topic.

The swine flu situation in Deschutes County is more serious than the local news media so far have reported, judging by an e-mail County Communicable Disease Manager Shannon Dames sent to health care professionals today.

Under the subject line “H1N1 Cases are way up!” Dames’s e-mail states:

“I am sure this is not news to you, given what you are seeing in your own clinics, but to be sure we are all in the loop:

• Schools are seeing higher absentee rates - some up to 25%
• The Bend and Redmond emergency rooms are packed - 44 ILI [influenza-like illness] admissions in two days early this week, and 22 positive results [for H1N1 flu] from the State lab.
• We are getting reports that staffing [has] become a concern at some of our medical locations with people having to leave due to onset of ILI.”

There's also not much vaccine to be had: there's "some out there" but right now it's a waiting game.

However, so as not to inflame any fears needlessly, let's review this post I made back in April:

Illness caused by this new strain of flu has the same symptoms as other strains of flu including fever, lack of energy and appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, and can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Those who have had swine flu in the United States have experienced mild illness, and have recovered. US hospitals have not reported an increase in serious respiratory illness. All cases were detected through routine surveillance for seasonal influenza.

I highlighted the "recovered" portion there, but obviously there have been some swine flu-related deaths that are owed more to extra circumstances than just getting the flu. From all accounts, H1N1 is a milder form of the "regular" influenza outbreaks that happen every year. So if you get swine flu, you'll be sick for a few days and (most likely) be just fine.

The number one thing you can do to prevent catching it? Wash your hands regularly.

Got this media alert from Bend Memorial Clinic, their flu shot clinic coming up in September.

WHAT: Need your flu shot? Get your shot before the start of the peak flu season in February. Bend Memorial Clinic will hold a Flu Shot Clinic this September and the flu vaccination will cost only $25.

WHO: The Flu Shot Clinic is open to anyone over the age of three years old. To make an appointment, please call 541.382.4900. Walk-ins are welcome. For questions and concerns, please call Bend Memorial Clinic at 541.382.2811.

WHEN & WHERE: September 19 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. located at BMC’s Eastside Clinic located at 1501 NE Medical Center Drive.

The swine flu is all over the news these days, and while it hasn't reached Oregon yet, that hasn't stopped Deschutes County and BMC from issuing notices and information regarding it. The best defense, of course, is to stay informed.

From Deschutes County:

Public health officials in Oregon are stepping up surveillance for a new strain of influenza known as swine flu, after 40 cases have been confirmed in multiple states along with the numerous cases in other countries including Mexico and Canada. No known cases have been confirmed in Central Oregon or the State.

Keep reading

Submitted details for a workshop at Bend Yoga in a couple of weeks:

What :
Yoga for Peak Performance Workshop
Athletic performance enhanced by yoga and meditation
Cost: $20
When: Saturday, April 25 1:00 - 3:00PM
Where: Bend Yoga 155 NW Century Drive Suite 113
Contact: 541-322-9642 (YOGA) info@bend-yoga.com

Description:
There is much more to athletic performance than fitness level and well-practiced skills. To perform well the athlete must also prepare the mind and nervous system for the rigors of training and competition, as well as deal with the unbalanced musculoskeletal demands of sport-specific training.

Yoga is an ancient practice in calming the mind and opening the body. As a compliment to all other athletic pursuits it prepares the athlete for mental focus and the ability to relax under pressure. On the physical side, yoga better prepares the body to sustain impact and prevent against injury.

Designed for amateur and competitive athletes alike this challenging but restorative workshop presents yoga as a tool for stress management, relaxation, and mental focus, as well as providing an entertaining and engaging yoga workout. It is also perfect for coaches who want to help their athletes reach deeper states of relaxation and flexibility. Previous yoga experience is not necessary.

This was submitted via contact form:

All of March, MYC yoga downtown (at the tbd loft 55 nw minnesota st.) is "March Madness" .. which means all regularly scheduled classes all month at $5.

Seems like a pretty good deal; regularly-priced classes are $12 for drop-in.

Bend Yoga is offering a "Recess from Stress" free community day tomorrow (Saturday). Looks like the whole day is free:

8am to 9am vinyasa flow level one (free class)
9:30am to 11am power vinyasa (free class)
11:30am to noon Self care presentation with Dr. Wendy Weintrob, ND, LAc
Noon to 4:00pm free chair massage!! Several chairs and therapists on-site!
4:30pm to 6pm gentle flow (free class)

please arrive 15 minutes early to the free classes to set up your mat! Thanks!

Bend Yoga is located at 155 SW Century Drive, Suite 113.

Pretty big news for BMC...

All BMC Primary Care physicians accepting new patients are now accepting new Medicare members. "This is an important step in helping to ensure that our senior family members, friends and neighbors have access to the best possible healthcare,” said Marvin J. Lein, CEO. “Central Oregon’s quality of life attracts people of all ages, but the demand for high quality senior care is growing the most rapidly. We have a responsibility to everyone in our community, and we intend to continue to meet that responsibility.”

Click through to read full press release

Just another reminder about flu shots; BMC has their Clinic this Saturday, the 13th, from 8 to 3 at their northeast (main) location. Cost is $25.

Also, you can check out the other schedules people posted in the comments to my previous flu shots post. Prices on most others is $30.

Flu season is coming up, and that means flu shots. If you're looking to get your inoculation this year, you have several options:

• Bend Memorial Clinic is having their Flu Shot Clinics on October 6th and 12th 13th (Saturday and Friday Saturday, respectively) from 8am to 3pm. It's at their main clinic (1501 NE Medical Center Drive) and only cost $25. For more info, call 541-382-2811. (Thanks, Shannon)
• The Aging Well Living Well Flu Shot Fest and Health Fair is Friday, October 5, 2007 from 9am to 2pm. It's at the Bend Senior Center (1600 SE Reed Market Road), and flu shots cost $30.
• I think I heard KTVZ say that Newport Market was having flu shots on October 6th, also, for $30—but I can't swear to it and I can't seem to find anything online about it right now. Anyone?

Though I'm kind of dubious about giving blood in exchange for free booze, this Wednesday, May 17th is the Pint Fest Blood Drive, hosted by the American Red Cross and Deschutes Brewery.

The idea is, give a pint of blood and get a voucher for a free pint of beer from Deschutes. Donating blood is always a good thing, but this certainly sweetens the deal.

The blood drive runs from 12:30 until 5:30. I'd not recommend going straight to the brewery after giving blood, though. :)

Via NewsChannel 21.